Daions Online Q&A
Having taken on the duties of collecting serial numbers for all models now, I am getting some questions I do not have enough knowledge to answer. Any questions emailed to me will be directed here, in hopes that somebody out there might have helpful information.
April 12, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Cross posting this from the acoustic serial number list…
Roger asks:
Daion Ym50 #9052405.It is identical to a Yamaki Ym50 of ‘76 except it has Daion on the front of the headstock. I am a bit puzzled because all the Daion’s I have found online have the name on the back with just the emblem on the front. Any thoughts. Thanks
August 19, 2010 at 7:23 am
Apparently sometime in 1984 Daion started using their Name Logo in place of the lyre logo. The lyre used to be a solid brass inlay, they switched to a decal then stopped using the lyre all together. They were trying to stay afloat in a competative market, unfortunately it was the cost of there material (top notch woods, etc) that sunk them.
August 19, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Ted, you can check my serial number list for the switch, but I believe the only model I have seen with the name logo is the Mk.XX. If I remember correctly, this was not parallel to the strings, but across the top of the headstock, like so many other acoustic makes.
September 29, 2010 at 10:33 am
Hi Ted,
I’m looking to purchase a Caribou and a Gazelle.
I was wondering where you purchased your from.
Are you interested in selling?
If not, can you please point me in the right direction to finding them?
Regards, John.
September 30, 2010 at 8:12 pm
John, This is a link to Craigslist every city. Thats how I find my Daions. http://www.searchallcraigs.com/
I cant sell any of mine, I’m looking for a good 555 Headhunter and an 81 Gazelle.
May 6, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Hi
I have a pair of 1981 Daion Gazelles one is 6 string the other is a 12 string both are in very good condition and I am wondering what the fair market value of these fine guitars would be????
August 19, 2010 at 9:35 am
FYI: I would bid up to $800 for the 6 with orig case and up to $1100 for the 12 with org case (I put a $200 value on a good matching original case). On a good day you could get higher bids.
August 19, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Ted, the 6 strings have been going over $1000 lately, with or without original case.
August 19, 2010 at 6:11 pm
In the last 3 years I bought three ’81 Caribous, 2 sixes and 1 twelve from Craigslist search all. The sixes were each $800 with cases, both in excellent condition, the 12 cost $1000 with case in very good condition. I paid $1300 for my Power Mark XX from EBay with case in very good condition. The Gazelles however are a much rarer model than the Caribous so I can see how they would reach a higher price. I’m not allowed to buy anymore anyway, wah
August 19, 2010 at 6:34 pm
My Daions: http://s891.photobucket.com/albums/ac113/tdb63/Daion%20Guitars/?action=view¤t=IMG_3556.jpg
May 6, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Suffice to say… A LOT. Good ones have been bringing $1000USD and up on Ebay. 12string could go more, just depends on how bad two or more people want it.
August 19, 2010 at 9:39 am
I recently saw a Daion clip-on belt mini amp with headphones. I think I bid $100 and I didn’t win. Anyone know where to get these? It was probably 3″ x 4″ had the Daion name logo and a guitar jack and a headphone jack, maybe a volume knob.
August 19, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I have seen about three or four show up on Ebay in the past several years. They seem to be pretty rare.
September 20, 2010 at 5:06 am
Hi, my name is John.
I’m looking to purchase Daion guitars.
I’m looking for PowerMark X, PowerMark XX, Caribou (acoustic), Savage & Performer.
Please email me at burncitygospel@gmail.com if you have any of these for sale.
It’s Sept 20,2010.
It may take some years to find these guitars
I may always be on the lookout so please try me at my email.
Cheers
September 20, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Hi,
I have three Daion guitars – one Fretless bass – a “Power X-B” serial No. 820683 (or 5) – the finish is – I think “tan” and the bridge assembly has been modified with a Fender style in black. It has the original brass nut, and black tuners (original?) The pup(s) are two two pole type – “selkect” by EMG. I can’t find any pics of this modelm and so donlt know if the pups and tuners are original. It plays and sounds perfectly.
I also have two acoustics – a Legacy L-999 ser no 114431 and a Heritage ’78 12 string serial no. 829493d.
The Legacy has the original case. All three guitars are in very good condition.
I have read somewhere that a guy in the US thinks he has the only fretless Daion. My bassd gives no indication of being converted.
Does anyone know anything about this bass / have pics ? and is ther any interst in the two acoustics? They are lovely guitars but not really played much nowadays.
January 2, 2011 at 3:12 am
Hello, I would be interested in the guitars. I would like more details and an asking price.
thanks
November 18, 2010 at 12:56 am
Any knowledge about which factory Daions were manufactured in? I sent an email to Fujigen and they flat out said they weren’t made there. mmmmm
December 16, 2010 at 10:40 am
Daions were made at the Yamaki factory.
Bill
December 16, 2010 at 11:59 am
I am looking to sell a Daion Mugen Mark I/12. I have no clue of the it’s value. It has some small chips at the tip of the headstock and a few minor scratches here and there, other than that its solid as a rock. It feels much sturdier than my Ibanez cheapo Acoustic 6 string. Any idea on a ballpark range of value would be appreciated.
Thanks
December 24, 2010 at 11:51 am
I own a 81 Caribou blonde color in mint condition with original case and brass bridge and nut. Would entertain selling.
December 24, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Hi Brad,
Where are you located?
I’m in Australia.
I’m interested in having a look with the interest to buy.
Please send pics and asking price to my email: daionman@gmail.com
Thanks, John.
January 9, 2011 at 7:12 am
I am a dutch lutier, better known as the guitar whisperer, based in Lisbon Portugal.
Since 1982 I am the owner of a Daion 81 Gazelle in perfect condition, and I decided to put it on the market.
Say the word
January 9, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Hello, I am interested in the guitar. What kind of condition is it in? Any cracks, dings, dents or repairs? How much are you asking and will you ship it?
Thanks and best regards
Rob
September 2, 2011 at 4:25 pm
I am a dutch guitarplayer en ik ben geinteresseerd in de Daion gazelle. Is hij nog steeds te koop
January 9, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Also my email address is robsbark@gmail.com
Thanks
Rob
January 11, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Has anyone seen any left handed Daion basses, particularly looking for a Savage. BTW, I currently have 2 right handed Savage basses, one fretted (yellow, good condition, bought from Bruce Diamond a while back) and one fretless (blue, no fret lines, very, very good condition, appearance-wise nearly new). I may be interested in selling the blue fretless . . . contact me at djmishalanie@nctv.com.
January 25, 2011 at 12:29 am
Hello have a left handed mugen Mk 2 12 stringer serial number 101259 It has been under the bed for over 20 years. I took it out the other night to have a strum and the bloody thing was still in tune. Not concert pitch mind you but still playable. Can anyone tell me what year it is?
It is mahogony with spruce top with the lyre logo in the stock with Daion written on the back of the stock.
Cheers.
March 3, 2011 at 11:56 pm
Just obtained a Daion ‘Performer’ Strat, made in Korea sticker on back of the head but I can’t find a Serial number, is it likely to be hidden somewhere.
Guy I bought it off had it for 7 years, he bought it 2nd hand and is the second owner he thinks it maybe 20+ years old.
Anyone have any clues about the Serial number?.
March 7, 2011 at 7:20 pm
There is one on ebay finishes 13/3/11
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Daion-Caribou-/330538795981?pt=AU_Musical_Instruments_Instruments&hash=item4cf5a5c3cd
March 13, 2011 at 9:04 am
Hi all. I just acquired a Daion DMK-1 acoustic. It needs some work but it’s still playable and sounds AWESOME. Really loud, with nice tone.
Any info would be much appreciated. It has no serial number and says it’s made in korea for central musical instruments Australia.
April 7, 2011 at 9:41 am
i have a Daion 81 Caribou acoustic electric in good condition except for pickups, i was wondering how much it is worth and how much it would cost to have a new pickup put in it
June 16, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Hi there folks. Would anyone happen to have any information on an acoustic Daion guitar I just picked up, model number D124E. Inside the sound hole it says, “Made for Musical Instruments Central Australia” and Made in Korea. The headstock has the name Daion on it, not the Daion logo. It also has a pick up in the neck just above the sound hole and a volume and tone control. Any information on year it was made, type of wood used etc. would be greatly appreciated. For its age the guitar is in top condition and sounds really nice, so not a cheap poorly made guitar. Thanks, Lawrence
June 25, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Hey guys,
I have an ’81 Gazelle 6 string. Its missing a bridge peg and has a few surface dings. Most of which don’t even break the varnish. The one I’m worried about is roughly half a quarter size and penetrates a layer of wood. If I refinish it, I’m afraid that it will lower the value. I’m looking to sell. There’s no case with it I’m wondering how to proceed/what I can possibly get for it. Any advise will help!
June 26, 2011 at 10:57 am
Clayton, I call what you have a “player”. It will never command the top price of a mint condition guitar with the factory case, but it is a perfectly serviceable instrument that will play just as well. This is the guitar that you can leave sitting in the living room without being too concerned that the dog might knock it over, or take to a club to play a show without worrying about it getting a ding or nick in the finish. All my Daions are “players” and spend several hours each week out in public.
As a player, this is still a fantastic playing guitar with a great sounding pickup. If somebody were really wanting a nice electronics setup in a Caribou, this is a great guitar to buy and swap over to a modern high end setup, as it is not a collector grade guitar.
In this condition, without a case, it’s probably a $300-400 guitar in my mind (mint with case usually goes for 3 times this). Bridge pegs are available anywhere. As this is not a collector, no big deal if it doesn’t match perfectly. Refinishing probably won’t hurt the value much at this point, but it might cost you $200 to have it refinished… and you still have a $300-400 guitar due to it being refinished.
June 26, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Deionsonline,
Thank you, that was the detail in simple terms I was looking for! I’ll just get the bridge peg, a fresh set of strings and see what I can get for it.
Thanks again,
Clayton
June 27, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Hello, I would possibly be interested in purchasing the guitar. Could I get some pictures of it and the blemishes you are referring to. Also how is the action on it? My email is robsbark@gmail.com
Best Regards,
Rob
June 28, 2011 at 7:03 pm
I sent you the pics, Rob. Let me know if you got them.
July 6, 2011 at 4:48 pm
re-post
I have a daion DW-25N acoustic. It says Daion quality guitar, central musical instruments Australia, but it does not state where is is made. it is a well built guitar and has a crisp, lively sound, any idea of the date? I know it was obtained in Australia. I don’t think this is a high end Daion, But I am still interested to know how old it is if possible,
and if it is made by Yamaki.
Cheers
July 21, 2011 at 3:37 pm
…crazy question, but I seem to remember reading about this connection somewhere…
Were Daions ever made/constructed/assembled, anything done to them, in Texas, specifically the Dallas/Garland area?
July 21, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Yes, the US and I believe European distributor of Daion was MCI, out of Garland. They were a two sided setup with one side (Musiconics, Inc) selling the Daions and Bob Murell’s Guitorgan, the other side (Mediconics, Inc) selling medical ultrasound scanning and imaging equipment. Apparently, the music side didn’t fare so well in the long run and shut down after only four or five years. From what I have found on the internet, the medical side continued for quite a while.
December 19, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I want to sell my Daion Power Mark XX. I’m the first owner. The guitar is in mint condition, with original case. I think i bought it in 1985 and i’ve almost never been playing on it. I only play acoustic and i’m going to buy an expensive Martin so that’s why i’m selling the Daion.
Anybody interested ? Please contact me.
December 19, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Marinus, I’d suggest you post this in the sale/wanted section…
http://daionsonline.wordpress.com/daions-for-sale-wanted/
Also include your general location and some kind of contact info, as in an email address.
December 20, 2011 at 2:25 am
I am interested in the Power Mark. My email is robsbark@gmail.com
Contact me and we will see what we can arrange.
Best,
Rob
December 25, 2011 at 3:01 pm
forsale Daion heritage and Gazelle in good shape ,anyone?? .
January 3, 2012 at 6:40 pm
What are the body dimensions (upper and lower bouts) and scale length of the 81 gazelle & caribou 12 strings? Thanks.
January 26, 2012 at 3:23 am
I have an acoustic Daion and have not been able to find out any info on it. I love the sound of it and it plays like a dream. I have always had compliments on it and not been able to tell them anything about it. The numbers inside the guitar are as follows
AY032B
101388
I was trying to find out about what company made this model. I was also wondering about the worth of it as well.
Thanks…… Hopeful. :O)
January 26, 2012 at 10:16 am
It was probably built by the remnants of Yamaki which morphed into Daion in the late 1970s, they eventually stopped making acoustics and moved to making copies of Fenders under the Daion name.
Possibly your Daion was built during the transition from acoustics to electrics.
I have an early ’70s Yamaki Deluxe which I recently bought from someone in Perth Western Australia, who had bought it in Japan.
February 3, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Hi all———doing research on some Washburns which Daion did the proto-types for: namely the Vulture II, the SB-40 and the LB-40 (all 1979 to1982-3). Does ANYONE at all have authenticated documents or pictures, ads, posters, anything at all showing the bass along with the bass name on the truss rod cover of any of them? I’ve been to every site in the world about these dang it. Washburn got rid of all records pre-1986 —smart move. Please contact me if so at mekentinc@yahoo,com
Thanks a lot, Mark Keller